Cuts Threaten Residency Program At New MCG Campus

Officials at the Medical College of Georgia have been planning a residency program for their new Athens campus. Now the idea might have to be delayed or canceled due to state budget cuts.

Medical students are required to complete residency training at hospitals before they become practicing doctors.

Medical Association of Georgia executive director David Cook says the MCG campus in Augusta needs to be taken advantage of before expanding residencies to Athens.

"We should be increasing the number of residency slots at the Medical College of Georgia," said Cook. "Augusta has a strong patient base there with two hospitals and the Veterans Administration there as well."

The campus in Athens is a joint effort between MCG and the University of Georgia. Forty med students are set to begin there in August.